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Safety concerns have been raised after a tire exploded on a Delta Airlines aircraft during maintenance, leading to the deaths of two employees and leaving a third with severe injuries.
The fatal incident happened early in the morning inside a hangar where the workers were replacing a tire. Atlanta police reported that emergency responders were alerted around 5 a.m. to a tire explosion at the airport’s technical operations facility.
The victims were named as Mirko Marweg and Luis Aldarondo.
A 1996 scientific paper stated that: “A bursting tire is like an exploding bomb. The energy released by a tire burst can be equated to dynamite.”
Delta Air Lines stated that it is working with local officials and conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the incident. "The Delta family is deeply saddened by the loss of two of our team members and the serious injury of another. Our thoughts and support are with their families and colleagues during this tragic time," a statement read. The company also expressed gratitude for the prompt response of emergency teams.
Atlanta's Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his condolences on social media, offering sympathy to the victims' families and wishing for a quick recovery to the injured.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), a union representing over 100,000 airline employees across the US, also called for a detailed investigation into the incident. The union emphasized its commitment to the safety and support of its members and the broader community affected by the tragedy.
The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged awareness of the incident and confirmed it was in contact with Delta.
Delta’s TechOps Chief of Operations, John Laughter, issued a statement to all employees following Marweg and Aldarondo’s deaths on Tuesday.
“I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta TOC 3, Dept. 391 – Wheel & Brake Shop. Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured. This news is heartbreaking for all of us.”
Delta promised to launch a full investigation into the explosion, the cause of which has yet to be discerned.
The company said the wheel parts that were being disassembled for maintenance were not attached to the plane at the time of the explosion.
